The Single Life

Before I start please let me know your opinions on this because I’m very interested to know the general consensus.

I had started planning this post months ago and for some reason had totally forgotten about it, then coming across it again today made me want to finish it and post it to find out whether it’s just me who thinks this, am I alone?

Well, to answer the question above yes – technically – I am single. I have been single for 23 years (aka my entire life) and therefore consider myself to be somewhat of an expert when it comes to ‘The Single Life’.

There are some good things about being single and some not so good things however, today we’re not going to discuss those. Today we’re going to discuss 6 things you should not say to someone who is single (especially if you’re in a relationship), not because it’s hurtful but because it is very annoying.

#1 – “Oh you’re better off anyway”
This one always, without fail, will come from someone who is in fact in a relationship. I won’t lie, I know they’re trying to be nice but it comes off as condescending because if you honestly thought this you yourself would be single and chances are I’d be hearing you complain about it. It’s just lying, which we know, and quite insulting to the person you claim to love. Get off your high horse and stop feeling bad for me, because that’s where this advice is coming from – pity. Pity and awkwardness and that is just slightly insulting.

#2 – “You should put yourself out there”
What does that even mean? Because I feel like I’ve tried. Admittedly a drunk guy in a bar isn’t exactly what I’m looking for, I’ve tried dating sites without success, I go out and socialise – really, how much more can I ‘put myself out there’? The worst thing is that most people who say this will not offer any follow up suggestions, so really it’s no help at all.

#3 – “It’ll happen when you’re not looking for it”
… That is a total contradiction to the second one! Love hasn’t exactly done the best job of finding me so far; Maybe it got lost somewhere, perhaps it requires a map? All i know is this is such frustrating advice because it basically just means you have to sit there and wait.. and wait.. and then wait some more.

#4 – “I can set you up with…”
Dear. God. No.
See, this one wouldn’t be too if your friends know what type of person you’re looking for or are interested in personality wise etc. however, friends will usually try to set you up with another friend they know is single – this person could be too different or even too similar. Personally, I’m quite shy so would probably need someone to bring me out of my shell a bit (as one example), plus if it doesn’t work out – awkward!

If your friend really wants to set you up then give them a list of Do’s and Don’ts. It may take the romance out of it a little but it might make things less stressful.

#5 – “Aww” “Sorry”
No. No. No. And uh, ohh yeah, no.
Honestly, are you kidding me? If I tell you I am single do not say “Aww” or “Sorry”.
a) there are people who choose to be single
b) we do not want or need your pity
When did it become seen as bad to be single? Being single can sometimes be lonely, sure. But so can being in a relationship you only entered because you’re lonely and I can imagine that being even worse.
Basically it’s part of life and something everyone has or everyone will experience at some point in their lives. So what’s the point in feeling sorry for us?

#6 – “When are you going to get a boyfriend/girlfriend?” or my personal favourite “Why are you still single?”
In answer to your first question, partners are not like a pair of jeans. You can’t just walk into town and pick one up half price from River Island. If you ask that question all that person is thinking is “How the heck should I know?” .. Hang on, let me go get my crystal ball!

In answer to your second question, for people who choose to be single they could just explain that, for those of us who are single and don’t mind or even those who are single and want to be in a relationship – what do you want us to say at this moment? Would you like us to sit here and list every flaw? Are you expecting a detailed history of ex’s? What is the appropriate answer to this question??

The problem is sometimes it feels as if people who are in relationships feel as if they are experts and sometimes it’s like they are helping you to improve your life – because god forbid you’re happy on your own.
They forget that there are actually some really great things that come out of not being in a relationship, and that’s why the above can sometimes be so frustrating.

#1 – We can be single
Do you know that there are people who jump from one relationship to the next without pause? Now part of me wants to know how in the heck they do it but the other wants to know why. Is it out of fear of being alone, or something else? It’s rare for these people not to be in a relationship whereas we are perfectly comfortable being on our own and we don’t ‘need’ people. That way when the time comes that we find someone to spend the rest of our lives with it’ll be our choice rather than driven by fear of some sort.

Plus we can enjoy our own company! I have no issues going to the cinema, for a drink, lunch etc. on my own but it’s quite incredible how many people are surprised when you tell them you do it often.

#2 – The money we earn is ours / We only have to pay for one person
OK, I know this one is selfish but it’s true! If you’re single (or even in a relationship where your money isn’t pooled) you only have to pay for one – which is great! Because it feels like a selfish one I won’t spend too much time on it but it’s there and it’s a good one.

#3 – Knowing Ourselves
Chances are because we’ve spent time on our own we know who we are and what we want out of life, this is our own choice and not influenced by partners.

#4 – Knowing What We Want
Similar to number 3 because we have more of an idea of who we are and what we want out of life we know we want a partner who will share the same values, beliefs and someone who is supporting of what we want out of life and someone who wants the same things.

#5 – Socialising
This is an awkward one but sometimes when people enter into relationships, I’ve seen it happen with people I know, they forget about their friends. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had people say to me that only when their friend has broken up with their boyfriend will they get a call or a text, basically suddenly remember they exist.
Sometimes this can extend into your friend not being seen without their partner, which yes is very sweet but I imagine can also be quite frustrating.
Being on your own you get to see all these things happen and understand what it’s like to be on the other side of it.

#6 The Best Is Yet To Come
Think about it, if you’re single – whether you have or haven’t been in a relationship – you haven’t met them yet. The story hasn’t been written. Don’t be impatient because otherwise you might miss it. The first time you meet, the butterflies and excitement and getting to know someone new, the first date, first kiss. It’s something you have yet to experience with the person you end up spending the rest of your life with, and isn’t that exciting?

The thing is with friends I have no issues talking about relationships or being single, I even have no issue with them saying something along the lines of ‘Well lets go out and find you someone’ because it’s all fun. But with people you don’t know or haven’t seen in a while the above is actually more frequent than it should be, to be perfectly honest.

So to those of you who still don’t get the message, here it is: Don’t feel sorry for people who are single. Don’t feel awkward if you’re talking about being in a relationship and don’t worry. Some of these may seem quite contradictory but just be normal with people whether they have a partner or not. Making it an issue is actually the issue itself.

Life is a journey, we all take it at our own pace and make our own choices, and those choices may not be ones we make ourselves but that doesn’t make them wrong in any way shape or form, it just means it’s different and that’s the great thing about life. It’s totally unique for each and every person, and that really is exciting.

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I completely agree with this list! I’ve been single for a year and a half and have had some friends try and set me up. The only problem being they didn’t know me that well (the friends who’ve tried aren’t that close to me. My close friends probably know they’d have a better chance setting up the hunchback of Notre Dame) and didn’t know what I wanted, so the people they chose were exactly as you said, their single friends. I wouldn’t mind being set up if I trusted the friend to pick someone I would like haha.

Since being single, I’ve definitely had time to work on myself, figure out who I am and what I want. I’m still working through that, too. All I’ve figured out is that I have standards which nobody is likely to meet and that I’m likely to stay single for a while. But I’m okay with that. I’m having way more fun not having to share my popcorn at the cinema 🙂

Thank you! I’m so glad I’m not the only one who feels this way!
Some friends of mine have spoken about setting me up (I’ve blocked their attempts) with other friends they know are single, just because there’s that in common doesn’t mean it’ll work – it usually worries me when they start that talk 😂I completely agree with you!

I think that’s one of the good things about not being in a relationship, like you say – literally everything you said – about figuring out who you are and what you want & that’s fantastic!

High standards isn’t a bad thing, it just means you know what you want. I just kind of feel that if I’m going to be with someone then I don’t want to settle for someone I kind of like and get along with just for the sake of it, if that makes any sense?